Sunamganj Correspondent 

In Tahirpur of Sunamganj, several fake Facebook accounts have recently been created and allegedly used to spread various forms of false and defamatory propaganda on social media. The situation has reportedly become so serious that the victims feel helpless. 

Government officials, including LGED engineers, public representatives and political leaders, have found themselves in an embarrassing situation due to such posts.

Several people from different professions are reportedly preparing to file General Diaries (GDs) with the police against those involved in spreading the alleged misinformation. 

Legal proceedings before the Cyber Tribunal are also reportedly being prepared after identifying the individuals operating the fake accounts.

According to several local sources, since around July-August, various posts have been circulated on Facebook targeting engineers of different government departments, government officials, public representatives, political leaders and other prominent individuals. Among the fake Facebook accounts allegedly involved are pages or profiles named “Tahirpur-er Khobor,” “Tahirpur-er Kantho,” and “Jadukata TV.”

One such post alleged "Finally, the LGED engineer of Tahirpur has been caught over a sand scandal. Sand stockpiled on the premises of the Upazila Parishad has sparked widespread discussion and criticism in the area. The sand was allegedly brought from the Shantipur area and illegally stockpiled there.”

However, Engineer Md. Zahidul Islam said that the contractor engaged in constructing the new Upazila Parishad building had brought the sand to the site for piling work.
It was later reported that at around 10:00am, Tahirpur UNO  Mehedi Hasan Manik and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shah Rukh Alam Shantanu visited the site and seized the sand.

The UNO reportedly described the sand as unclaimed sand from Shantipur.
Engineer Zahidul Islam said that a vested group was using the incident to spread various types of propaganda against him and the Upazila administration. He alleged that false, baseless, vulgar, insulting and defamatory information was being circulated through several fake Facebook accounts.

He said such propaganda was causing embarrassment to people from different walks of life. He added that preparations were already underway to file General Diaries against the operators of the fake accounts.

Police officials said that identifying such fake accounts is a matter for the intelligence and cyber investigation units, including the IT branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Although the process may take some time, the identities behind the fake accounts can eventually be traced, they said.

The contractor involved in the construction project said that they had initially planned to purchase sand from Selim and Jahangir for the piling work of the new Upazila Parishad building. However, as the sellers failed to provide valid documents proving the legality of the sand, the contractor said they did not purchase the sand from them.

Engineer Zahidul Islam said, " For the past two days, several fake Facebook accounts have been spreading vulgar, false and fabricated information about me. A syndicate has been demanding money from me at different times because it failed to achieve its interests. The group is basically trying to damage my professional responsibilities, social reputation and family honour.”

He further said, "I have never been involved in any such activities, nor am I involved at present. I therefore seek the attention of the local administration as well as the district administration. These fake accounts could create social unrest, and the situation could potentially lead to a major incident.”
He added that once the individuals behind the fake accounts are identified, he would file a case before the Cyber Tribunal against those responsible for the alleged propaganda.

Tahirpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mehedi Hasan Manik said, Isaw the allegations on Facebook regarding the alleged sand scandal involving Engineer Md. Zahidul Islam. However, after making inquiries, I learned that the sand had been stockpiled at the site after informing the LGED engineer. The sand has been seized. It will be auctioned after completion of the legal process.